There are 4 men who want to cross a bridge. They all begin on the same side.

You have 17 minutes to get all of them across to the other side. It is night. There is one flashlight. A maximum of two people can cross at one time. Any party who crosses, either 1 or 2 people, must have the flashlight with them. The flashlight must be walked back and forth, it cannot be thrown, etc.

Each man walks at a different speed. A pair must walk together at the rate of the slower mans pace.

Man 1: 1 minute to cross Man 2: 2 minutes to cross Man 3: 5 minutes to cross Man 4: 10 minutes to cross

For example if Man 1 and Man 4 walk across first. 10 Minutes have elapsed when they get to the other side of the bridge. If Man 4 returns with the flashlight. A total of 20 minutes have passed and you have failed the mission.

See how quick you can solve this!

BTW: This question is asked by interviewers at Microsoft, no kidding.

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